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US5669704A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Exterior vehicle security light

Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-26
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2016-02-26
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Abstract

Abstract A minor assembly security system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a light module removably positioned within the exterior minor housing. The light module is moisture impervious and includes an enclosure, a light-transmitting opening in the enclosure facing generally downwardly and/or rearwardly of the vehicle, a cover for the light-transmitting opening, and a light source in the enclosure radiating light through the light-transmitting opening. The light source may be received in a socket which removably engages another opening in the enclosure. In this manner, the fight source may be replaced by removing the module from the exterior minor housing, removing the socket from the enclosure and replacing the fight source. The enclosure and minor housing preferably are configured to self-retain the module in the exterior mirror moving with no, or fewer than one or two, separate fasteners.

Inventors

  • 👤 Todd W. Pastrick

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 17:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/38; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/05; B60Q2300/054; B60Q2900/00; B60Q2900/30; B60R2001/1284; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 131 words
A mirror assembly passive security system for a vehicle comprising: a first exterior mirror assembly including a first reflective element and a first housing for said first reflective element; a first security light projecting light from said first housing on at least a first area adjacent a first portion of the vehicle in order to create a first lighted security zone in said first area; and an actuator for said first security light; wherein said actuator is responsive to a proximity detection system and actuates said first security light when the vehicle is approached wherein said proximity detection system automatically senses proximity and approach to the vehicle by automatic detection of a transducer carried by a vehicle operator without the necessity of the operator operating a button associated with the transducer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 131 words
A mirror assembly passive security system for a vehicle comprising: a first exterior mirror assembly including a first reflective element and a first housing for said first reflective element; a first security light projecting light from said first housing on at least a first area adjacent a first portion of the vehicle in order to create a first lighted security zone in said first area; and an actuator for said first security light; wherein said actuator is responsive to a proximity detection system and actuates said first security light when the vehicle is approached wherein said proximity detection system automatically senses proximity and approach to the vehicle by automatic detection of a transducer carried by a vehicle operator without the necessity of the operator operating a button associated with the transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 1 wherein said proximity detection system includes an antenna mounted in the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 2 wherein the location of said antenna is one of in the vehicle trunk compartment, in the interior cabin, and within or on a mirror assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The minor assembly security system of claim 2 wherein the location of said antenna is within or on a mirror assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 1 wherein said first reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 5 wherein said reflective element is an electrochromic mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 98 words
The mirror assembly system in claim 1 including a second exterior mirror assembly having a second reflective element and a second housing for said second reflective element and a second security light projecting light from said second housing on at least a second area adjacent a second portion of the vehicle in order to create a second lighted security zone in said second area, wherein said actuator is responsive to said proximity detection system and actuates said second security light when the vehicle is approached without the necessity of the operator operating a button associated with the transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
The mirror assembly system in claim 7 wherein at least one of said first and second reflective elements is an electro-optic mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
The mirror assembly system in claim 8 wherein said first and second reflective elements are electrochromic mirrors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 163 words
A mirror assembly passive security system for a vehicle comprising: a first exterior mirror assembly including a first reflective element and a first housing for said first reflective element; a first security light projecting light from said first housing on at least a first area adjacent a first portion of the vehicle in order to create a first lighted security zone in said first area; and an actuator for said first security light; wherein said actuator is responsive to a proximity detection system and actuates said first security light when the vehicle is approached; wherein said proximity detection system includes an antenna mounted in the vehicle within or on one of an interior mirror assembly, an exterior mirror assembly, a glazing and a trim item and wherein said proximity detection system automatically senses proximity and approach to the vehicle by automatic detection of a transducer carried by a vehicle operator without the necessity of the operator operating a button associated with the transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 163 words
A mirror assembly passive security system for a vehicle comprising: a first exterior mirror assembly including a first reflective element and a first housing for said first reflective element; a first security light projecting light from said first housing on at least a first area adjacent a first portion of the vehicle in order to create a first lighted security zone in said first area; and an actuator for said first security light; wherein said actuator is responsive to a proximity detection system and actuates said first security light when the vehicle is approached; wherein said proximity detection system includes an antenna mounted in the vehicle within or on one of an interior mirror assembly, an exterior mirror assembly, a glazing and a trim item and wherein said proximity detection system automatically senses proximity and approach to the vehicle by automatic detection of a transducer carried by a vehicle operator without the necessity of the operator operating a button associated with the transducer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 10 whereby the location of said antenna is within or on a mirror assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 11 whereby said antenna is within or on said first exterior mirror assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 10 wherein said first reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 13 wherein said first reflective element is an electrochromic mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 99 words
The mirror assembly security system of claim 10 including a second exterior mirror assembly having a second reflective element and a second housing for said second reflective element and a second security light projecting light from said second housing on at least a second area adjacent a second portion of the vehicle in order to create a second lighted security zone in said second area, wherein said actuator is responsive to said proximity detection system and actuates said second security light when the vehicle is approached without the necessity of the operator operating a button associated with the transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
The mirror assembly security system in claim 15 wherein at least one of said first and second reflective elements is an electro-optic mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 18 words
The mirror assembly security system in claim 16 wherein said first and second reflective elements are electrochromic mirrors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 15 words
The mirror assembly security system in claim 10 wherein said antenna is a metallic antenna.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 15 words
The mirror assembly security system in claim 18 wherein said antenna is a wire antenna.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 21 words
The mirror assembly security system in claim 19 wherein said wire antenna is between approximately 6 gauge and approximately 20 gauge.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-09-22 2001-03-24 2001-09-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-09-22 2005-03-24 2005-09-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-09-22 2009-03-24 2009-09-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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